Amy + Rafi | Elkridge Furnace Inn Wedding

Amy and Rafi’s wedding was the perfect ending to a chaotic yet completely awesome weekend. When I first met these two last year I immediately loved them and was so excited that they loved me back. This is one of those couples that makes me realize that what I’m doing is so much more than just a job, but it’s also building relationships with incredible people. Amy and Rafi are so sweet and so genuine and their wedding day was a perfect reflection of that. There were so many moments that I was fighting back tears and I will be pointing those out along the way throughout this post. All in all it couldn’t have been a more perfect day, and these two were so deserving of every bit of that perfection.

The Elkridge Furnace Inn is such an awesome location for weddings, with gorgeous grounds and lots of variety. It’s a photographer’s dream.

Believe it or not, these gorgeous flowers came from Whole Foods!

I love the invitations that Amy and Rafi chose from Wedding Paper Divas. The earthy feel was the perfect way to set the tone for their wedding.

Amy was an absolutely stunning bride.

and you can see her friends clearly agree!

Amy and Rafi chose to exchange gifts before the craziness of the wedding day unfolded. They both chose to focus on the meaning and power of language and words, specifically in how they relate to their relationship. I love that it was something unique and meaningful, specifically right for them.

Before heading down for their first look I got some gorgeous portraits of Amy in the bridal suite. I am in love with this window light!

Oh my gosh, their first look. This was one of many moments that I was trying my best not to cry. Rafi’s face when he saw Amy for the first time said everything.

After the first look we met up with their friends and family for some formals before the ceremony as well as bridal party photos! This was such a fun and good looking group!

Did I mention it was a big bridal party? So many people!

The guys insisted on doing a sorority squat photo, which clearly Rafi wanted nothing to do with.

The girls did a much better job… and yes, these photos happened in this order.

UGH! Stop it, Amy. These are too gorgeous.

I swear these two are too cute together for their own good.

LOVE.

Before heading out to the ceremony site for their ceremony, it was time for the ketubah signing and bedeken or the veiling of the bride. I love the ketubah they picked, it’s so pretty.

EFI has such a gorgeous wedding ceremony location!

Look at those happy people! Mazel tov!

After the ceremony we had plenty of time for more gorgeous photos and I couldn’t be happier with these! So beautiful!

I particularly love that Amy and Rafi chose to do truffle popcorn as a wedding favor! So cool!

The reception tent was set up in such a beautiful, classy, elegant way.

Rafi and Amy entered the reception and went straight into their first dance to “Beast of Burden” by the Rolling Stones. Not a super duper emotional song, so you’ll probably think I was crazy for crying during their first dance, but I swear I had a good reason.

This. This was my reason. Rafi’s face. The complete and total joy. The unmistaken love and adoration for Amy, and the “best day ever” smile from ear to ear. That’s what made me lose it. I just love these two.

Before dinner, we had speeches from Amy’s parents, Rafi’s sisters, and Amy’s brothers. All of which told me more about this amazing couple and just made me appreciate them even more than I thought was possible. They are truly such incredible people.

Amy’s brothers did a mad-lib style story of how Amy and Rafi met (hilarious), and also had Jen and I a little choked up when talking about Rafi and how he’s like a super hero. The man used a gift card that he was given to buy a book on knitting. Taught himself to knit, and made a blanket for Amy’s brother’s son. Amazing. The blanket is now used as a cape. As it should be.

This was not my first wedding with the Hora, but it was the most enthusiastic for sure. So much fun!

And to end an incredibly lengthy blog post of an incredibly amazing day, some night shots! <3

Amy and Rafi,

I am so so glad that you guys found me and chose me to be your wedding photographer. You are such an awesome couple and two amazing people individually who I know will only make each other better by being together. I wish you both many many years of happiness and I hope that I will see you many more times throughout your lives together! I am crazy jealous that you are in Hawaii right now, the place where my soul belongs, and I hope you love it as much as I do. I’m sure you will! Congratulations again!

xoxo,
Brea

Vendors
Venue: Elkridge Furnace Inn
Coordinator: Steve Warrick with EFI
Photographer: Breanna Shaw, Photography by Brea
Second Photographer: Jennifer Smutek
DJ: Aditya Desai
Officiant: Rabbi Scott Perlo
Dress: I Do I Do Wedding Gowns
Hair and Makeup: Wedlocks, LLC
Florist: Whole Foods
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
Programs: Anne Elder